Nigerian pop star Davido is facing a lawsuit from Brownhill Investments Company Limited, the organizers of the annual ‘Warri Again Concert’, for allegedly breaching a contract. The company claims that Davido was paid N70 million to perform at the 19th edition of the concert on October 6, 2023, but he failed to show up on the event day.
The ‘Warri Again Concert’ is a popular music festival that celebrates the culture and talent of Warri, a city in Delta State, Nigeria. The concert features local and international artists, comedians, dancers, and other entertainers. The concert has been running since 2005 and has attracted thousands of fans and sponsors.
According to the suit filed at the Delta State High Court in Effurun, Brownhill Investments is seeking damages of N2 billion, legal and professional fees of N150 million, and the cost of filing the suit of N30 million. The company also asks the court to order Davido to tender a public apology on his social media accounts and in two national daily newspapers for four consecutive days.
The suit states that Davido approached Brownhill Investments in early 2023 to book him for the concert. The two parties agreed on a fee of N70 million, which was paid in full on April 6, 2023. Davido also did a promotional video for the event.
However, on the concert day, Davido failed to show up. Brownhill Investments says that it tried to contact him and his team, but their calls went unanswered. The company also kept the private jet chartered to convey Davido and his team to Warri on standby, but it was never used.
Brownhill Investments says that Davido’s breach of contract caused significant financial losses. The company had already expended humongous resources on print and social media adverts and promotions for the event. It also had to pay for the private jet and other expenses related to Davido’s performance.
The suit is still ongoing, and it is unclear how it will be resolved. Davido has not publicly commented on the matter yet. He is working on his fifth studio album, which is expected to be released later this year.
Davido is not the first Nigerian artist sued for disrespecting a contract. In 2022, Burna Boy was sued by a US promoter for $25,000 for missing a show in Oakland, California. He later settled the case out of court.
Davido is one of the most successful and influential musicians in Africa. He has won several awards, including two MTV Africa Music Awards, two BET Awards, one MOBO Award, and one Kora Award. He has also collaborated with international artists such as Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Nas, and Young Thug.
Davido’s fans have expressed disappointment and anger over his alleged no-show at the ‘Warri Again Concert.’ They have urged him to apologize and make amends with the organizers. They have also expressed their hope that he will continue to make good music and represent Nigeria positively on the global stage.
Source: Business Day
